A Connecticut native with an interest in birding shares his outdoor adventures

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Historic Factory, Birdlife, & "Selfies" At Starr Mill

The building in this photo started out as a weapons factory in 1812 that produced pistols, rifles, and commemorative swords for famous historic figures like Andrew Jackson. Today the building, which is located next to Starr Mill Pond in Middletown CT, is used for apartment rentals and small businesses such as art galleries, a hair salon, yoga, and meditation centers. The inside of the building has been updated but still retains some of the original character.There is also a beautiful waterfall not seen in this picture just to the right of the building.

The Pond has lots of wildlife activity. I've seen beaver and muskrat swimming around and there were a nice variety of ducks and waterfowl over the last month including Ruddy Duck, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Wood Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks.

Here's a closer look at a pair of Ring-necked Ducks. You can see a hint of the so-called ringed neck of the male on the right.

This "selfie" craze is getting out of control! Even the Mute Swans seem to be in on it!

Not all Mute Swans like to show off their faces though. I think it's great when old factories are preserved and repurposed. I can imagine workers on their lunch break 200 years ago standing in the same spot that I did. I wonder if they were seeing some of the same birds or if their might have been some different species around back then?Please note: There are private apartments and businesses on the property so Starr Mill is not a public birding place.